Bobbin clutch



Oct. 31, 1961 E. v. PELLETIER BOBBIN CLUTCH Filed June 30, 1960 FIG. 4

R E MT T E M L VL N E I P V. E N E G U E ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,006,565 BOBBIN CLUTCH Eugene V. Pelletier, 324 N. Main St.,Woonsocket, RI. Filed June 30, 1960, Ser. No. 39,960 3 Claims. (Cl.24246.4)

This invention relates to a clutch for a bobbin or tubular core uponwhich yarn is wound. It is desirable that some means he provided so thatthe tubular core of the bobbin may be easily positioned and held on aspindle and rotated by the spindle for winding yarn thereon.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a clutch which willbe easily released and one which will mechanically grip the bobbin whenthe spindle commences to rotate and thus drive the bobbin core with thespindle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clutch which when thespindle ceases to rotate will release the bobbin so that it may beeasily lifted axially off the spindle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clutch which may bepositioned upon existing spindles and firmly held thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clutch having a minimumnumber of operating parts and one which may be easily and quicklyassembled.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction as will be more fully described andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation partly in section illustrating a spindle, theclutch of this invention, and a bobbin core gripped thereby;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the clutch with the spindle omittedand showing the parts in release position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the parts in bobbincore gripping position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clutch alone;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sleeve portion of the clutch;

FIG. 6 is a fragmental view illustrating the mounting of the tubes inthe clutch; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a modifiedform of the invention.

In proceeding with this invention, I have provided a sleeve of a size toslidably fit over a spindle and have slotted this sleeve at its oppositeends so that by pressure upon the slotted portions, these portions maybe forced against the spindle to hold the sleeve firmly thereon. Thissleeve carries, either integrally therewith or otherwise fixed thereto,cam surfaces and about these cam surfaces there is located a shell withaxially extending openings, in number corresponding to the number of camsurfaces which are provided. In each of these openings, there is locateda tube which is of such a size that it may pass through the opening. Thetube, however, has a rather large bore and a pin extends through thetube and is of such a size as to permit free movement of the tube withreference to the shell and sleeve and yet the pin prevents the tube fromescaping through the slot in the shell. Thus, a relative movement of theshell and sleeve causes the cams to force the tubes out- "ice wardly soas to grip the bobbin, and as rotation of the spindle ceases, a slightmovement of the shell with reference to the sleeve releases the bobbinso that it may be axially lifted from the spindle. Collar members ateither end of the shell serve to hold the shell in position on thesleeve and also serve as a means for contracting the sleeve so that itwill grip the bobbin.

With reference to the drawings the sleeve is designated generally 10which is slotted as at 11 at its opposite ends. Intermediate these ends,the sleeve is enlarged to provide cam surfaces 12 which may be integralwith the sleeve, thus providing a mid cam portion 13 of shortest radiusand closest to the axial center and end portions 14 of longest radius orat a greater distance from the axis of the sleeve. A shell 15 embracesthe sleeve intermediate its ends so as to embrace the cam surfaces 12.This shell is provided with longitudinal slots 16 symmetrically spacedand of the same number as the number of cam surfaces 12. In each ofthese slots I have located a tube 17 which has a bore 18 so as toprovide 'a rather thin wall. These tubes are of a size to pass throughthe slot 16 unless confined, and in order to confine these tubes inposition, there is a pin '19 which extends through each opening 20 atthe top and bottom of the shell at the ends of the slot 16 inwardly fromits outer periphery. These pins are much smaller than the bore 18 andextend into and through this bore, thus preventing the tubes fromescaping through the slots although permitting them considerable freedomof movement from the innermost position to the outermost position. Atthe innermost position the tubes outer surfaces are either flush orinward of the outer peripheral surface of the shell, whereas in theouter position they project substantially beyond the outer periphery ofthe shell as in FIGURE 3.

In order to hold the shell in position on the sleeve and also hold thepins 19 in place, I have provided collars 22 at either end of the shellwhich embrace the slotted parts of the sleeve and overlies the ends ofthe openings 20 thus preventing the pins from escaping. A screw 23extends through each of the collars 22 in a position to engage thesleeve at the slotted portion so that upon turning up these screws 23,the sleeve is contracted at this slotted portion. These screws alsoserve to hold the collars 22 in position and hold the shell in positionon the sleeve. Although these collars are at either end of the shell,they do not snugly abut the shell, thus allowing the shell freedom ofmovement.

As rotation of the spindle occurs, the tubes are forced outwardly untilthey grip a bobbin core designated 21 being forced against the bobbincore by the cam surfaces. However, as soon as rotation ceases, then areverse rotation of the bobbin and shell will cause the tube 17 torelease the bobbin and it may be readily lifted from the clutch andspindle.

In FIG. 7 I have illustrated five tubes 17 in a sleeve 15 and five camsurfaces 12 for actuating these tubes, and it will be readily apparentthat any selected number of symmetrically spaced tubes in slots with acorresponding number of cam surfaces on the sleeve may be provided.

I claim:

1. A bobbin clutch comprising a sleeve to receive a spindle, means tosecure the sleeve to a spindle, a plurality of symmetrically disposedcam surfaces carried by said sleeve, a shell coaxial with and embracingthe sleeve and cam surfaces and provided with a plurality of axiallyelongated slots corresponding to the number of said cam surfaces, acylindrical tube in each slot, each tube being of a size to pass througheach slot and disposed with its axis generally parallel to the axis ofsaid sleeve and shell, each tube having an axial bore, pins fixed insaid shell, one pin entering the bore of each tube, said pins each beingof a size smaller than said bore whereby relative movement of the tubesand shell may occur and yet the outward movement of the tubes is limitedwhen engaged and urged outwardly by said cam surfaces due to relativerotation of said shell and sleeve.

2. A bobbin clutch as in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is split at itsopposite ends forming portions which extend beyond each end of saidshell, and a collar embracing References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 734,922 Metcalf July 28, 1903 1,530,991Forbes Mar. 24, 1925 1,858,607 Whalen May 17, 1932 2,161,061 Keyes June6, 1939 2,561,745 Lerch July 24, 1951

